The Market Access and Rural Enterprise Development Programme (MAREP) has begun preparation for implementation of the Rural Investment Fund (RIF) and the Line of Credit (LOC) for beneficiaries it its target communities. The RIF is a non reimbursable fund implemented through three windows: Social Window - to finance investment in public infrastructure for production, processing and marketing Enterprise Window - to finance business planning, production, processing and marketing leading to the consolidation of sustainable and competitive businesses Productive Window - to providing financing for small scale sustainable revenue generating initiatives The LOC is a reimbursable fund/loan that will be implemented to support working capital for business start up and development. MAREP will publish its first call for applications to the RIF and LOC in the third quarter of 2012 and organizations are expected to submit business plans and proposals for consideration for funding. In order to assist organizations to prepare their business plans and proposals, MAREP will conduct a 5-day workshop on Business Planning and Development from 29 May - 5 June, 2012 for social organizations including Community Based Organizations (CBOs), youth groups, sports groups, men and women groups and economic groups including Producer Groups, Cooperatives, Associations within MAREP’s target communities. The training will be held at St. Patrick’s R.C. School in Sauteurs from 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m daily. During the second phase of the Business Planning and Development training, participants will be expected to draft a business plan or business proposal on behalf of their organization for submission to the RIF/LOC. MAREP’s target communities are: St. Patrick - Mt Rich, River Sallee, Town of Sauteurs, Mt Craven, La Fortune/Levera St. Mark - Resource, Union, Non Pariel St. Andrew - Post Royal, Paradise Cocoa/Simon, Telescope, Soubise, Mt. Horne St. David - Vincennes, Winsdor Forest, La Tante St. John - Clozier including Mt. Felix, Florida, Maran St. George New Hampshire MAREP is therefore inviting 3 members of each social and economic group/organization in these communities to participate in the workshop. To register and for further information, please contact MAREP on telephone 442-0105/442-0100 or email marepgrenada@gmail.com or fax 442-0104.